Happy week before Thanksgiving!

A few scenes from Tompkins Square Park this afternoon... and St. Mark's Place...







A few inches of snow is expected before it turns to rain later tonight.

Updated 3:53

Steven shared these photos from the Park...

CB3 committee meeting tonight includes discussion on storm-proofing East River Park

[East River Park as seen last month]

A CB3 committee meeting that wasn't on anyone's radar is now receiving attention.

This is the third item for discussion during tonight's Parks, Recreation, Waterfront, & Resiliency Committee meeting:

• Rebuild By Design proposal RFP for stewardship of East River Park.

It's not exactly clear what is being discussed tonight. (This 6sqft piece from the summer is a good primer on the RFP process.)

In any event, one neighborhood activist is sounding the alarming to help raise awareness in an email sent last night:

This is a devastating NEW PLAN that the City wants to shove through regarding the East River. After a carefully studied plan, The Coastal Resiliency Project, since 2014, after Hurricane Sandy, with Millions of dollars committed by the City...The Mayor's Office in October 2018 wants to scrap that plan, instead will close the East River Park for 2-3 years, trashing all plantings, trees, and wildlife habitats to "raise" the park up 8 feet in land fill. The cost is $1.45 billion. This is an expedited "plan" because there is money to spend — however it is thoughtless, in the end won't work, and will destroy the East River Park as we know it.

The email included a wrinkled flyer...



As previously noted, the city's new resiliency plan calls for "lifting" East River Park by up to 10 feet from Cherry Street to 13th Street when work starts in March 2020.

However, to do this, the city will need to close East River Park for up to three and a half years, bulldozing all the current amenities, including the recently unveiled new running track and soccer field, according to multiple published reports. (The Post and CBS 2 had stories on these plans.)

The meeting starts at 6:30 tonight (third agenda item) at the BRC Senior Services Center, 30 Delancey St. between Chrystie and Forsyth.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: The reality of storm-proofing East River Park in 2020

What's next for 131 1st Ave., the former Foot Gear Plus space?

Foot Gear Plus closed this past July 31 after nearly 40 years on the southwest corner of First Avenue and St. Mark's Place.

The space — 131 First Ave. — has been on the market since then. Per Meridian Investment Sales:

Owned by the same family for 54 years, this single story building, located on the southwest corner of St. Marks Place and First Avenue, presents a distinct opportunity for an investor or end-user to establish a retail or food and beverage presence.

The property is currently constructed as a single story, 1,350 square foot building with a large usable basement. Investors have a unique value-add opportunity to either reposition the retail or monetize 4,150 square feet of air rights in the future.

The listing at LoopNet notes that the property is now in contract. (There wasn't any mention of the price.)

So we'll see what the new owner has in mind with those air rights... and that artificial turf atop 134 First Ave.!



As for Foot Gear Plus, Tony Scifo, who opened the shop here in 1980, told this to EVG contributor Stacie Joy in July: "After several years of peaks and valleys in business there were just too many valleys. Companies now sell direct to consumers and once they started offering free shipping it was all over. This is happening everywhere, not just locally. The landlord wanted us to stay. She offered us a fair price and she's been great. We just couldn't make it."

Images via LoopNet

Previously on EV Grieve:
After nearly 40 years, Foot Gear Plus is closing on 1st Avenue and St. Mark's Place

Future You Café debuts on 7th Street

The Future You Café officially opened on Tuesday at 117 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue (thanks to Steven for these photos on Tuesday) ...



They're serving up a variety of coffee drinks and teas ... and dairy-free "wellness drinks," such as the Golden Latte with turmeric and steamed almond milk. (This link has the drinks menu and list of their vendors.)

Owner Roberto Levinson put together the shop with inspiration from the cafés from his native Mexico. Accordingly, Future You Café offers a variety of Mexican pastries and candy. (The food menu is here.)

Levinson lives nearby. "I have always loved the neighborhood and its people so it was a very easy choice [to open a café here]," he said. "I hung out in the East Village for many years and it is my favorite neighborhood in NYC."

Future You is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, with an 8 a.m. start time on weekends.

56 E. 1st St. is for sale

The three-unit, five-story property at 56 E. First St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue has arrived on the sales market.

Here's part of the listing via Leslie J. Garfield:

This 5-story, approximately 6,090 sq. ft. building contains a commercial space on the ground level (with spacious cellar) that could be converted to residential, a duplex apartment with outdoor space and a sprawling triplex with 20' ceilings, terrace, and roof deck. There is additional FAR that could be realized by building up and/or utilizing some of the unused internal cubic feet. In its current configuration, the property provides an ideal live-plus-income or investment opportunity. It could also be converted to a grand single-family home or used for institutions.

Asking price: $13.250 million.

According to Jennifer Gould Keil, who first reported on this at the Post, the owner is Eric Anderson, a co-founder of Prune right next door.

This story from the archives at the Times has more on the building, constructed in 2004, and Anderson.

The ground floor here was the home of the Lower Eastside Girls Club until their move to Avenue D. The space is currently the City Lore Gallery.

The boutique office building replacing the Sunshine Cinema will be 'unbounded by walls' with an outdoor space called Houston Alley

[Photo of the Sunshine from the other evening]

The former Sunshine Cinema remains in place at 143 E. Houston St. awaiting demolition to make way for a 9-story boutique office complex with a retail component.

East End Capital and K Property Group, who bought the building for $31.5 million in the spring of 2017, have launched a website marketing the spaces. (City Reality first reported on the new website on Tuesday.)

Here's the building's "redefined vision" ...

From acclaimed architect Roger Ferris, the only new development of its type on the Lower East Side, 141 East Houston is a new frame for viewing the neighborhood. Column-free and unbounded by walls, it reinterprets the area through a bold geometric perimeter of cladding and glass. State-of-the-art workspaces and private terraces reframe expectations, while a well-connected location recasts perspectives.

With its glass frame and dynamic courtyard running the length of its eastern side, doubling as a second facade, 141 East Houston challenges the distinction between indoors and out.

The ground-floor space along Houston Street will include outdoor seating in "Houston Alley" ...



As City Realty noted, the new building, which is still awaiting for the city's approval, "couldn’t be further removed from the community or its surroundings."

The five-screen Sunshine Cinema here between Eldridge and Forsyth closed on Jan. 21 after a 17-year run.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Discarded theater seats and goodbyes at the Sunshine Cinema

The 9-story boutique office building coming to the former Sunshine Cinema space

A celebratory ad on the purchase of 139 E. Houston St., current home of the Sunshine Cinema

Prime cut: Documentary offers a day in the life of Michael Saviello, longtime manager of the iconic Astor Place Hairstylists

Nicolas Heller has been getting his hair cut at Astor Place Hairstylists since he was a kid.

Heller, a filmmaker (aka New York Nico), had never talked with Michael Saviello, better known as Big Mike, the shop's manager for nearly 40 years. About a year ago, Heller used the restroom there, and spotted Big Mike in the storage area — painting.

"I had to hear what his deal was after that," Heller says with a laugh.

The end result is "Big Mike Takes Lunch,” Heller's documentary that captures a day in the life of the longtime manager at Astor Place Hairstylists, which opened in 1947 at 2 Astor Place at Broadway. For the past year, Big Mike has spent his lunch break painting, an activity that he hasn’t done since high school.

Per the documentary's description: "Follow Mike as he takes you on a journey through his shop full of characters and the storage unit he’s turned into his personal art studio."

In conjunction with the screening of the film, Big Mike will be having his first-ever art show at Astor Place Hairstylists on Saturday night at 8:30. RSVP to BigMikeTakesLunch@gmail.com. if you want to attend.

Meanwhile, Heller shared a copy of the 12-minute film here for EVG readers...

Sunday is the last day for the Wineshop on 9th Street

EVG reader Brucie shared these photos from outside the Wineshop at 438 E. Ninth St. west of Avenue A... the chalkboard sign on the sidewalk reads: "Here today...Gone next week" on one side, and "Thank you, East Village" on the other... not a good sign, unfortunately...



The owners of the neighborly shop, which opened in 2013, confirmed the closure via Instagram, writing: "It’s heartbreaking to say this but this will be the last week that Wineshop will be open and Sunday 11/18 will be our last day ... I’ll be at the shop sporadically throughout the week but all day Sunday with open bottles of sparkling to say goodbye to the best customers one could ask for. Thank you for everything."

That's a wrap for Yonekichi's rice burger spot on 9th Street

[Photo by Steven]

Yonekichi has shut down its quick-serve spot on Ninth Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... EVG Ninth Street Bureau Chief NOTORIOUS notes that Yonekichi even took their bench seat out front..



Yonekichi, part of Bon Yagi's East Village stable of restaurants, announced on its website that the lease was up ... and they will be looking for a new home...



The to-go spot was a big hit (except with the Daily News) when it opened back in August 2014, serving a variety of crisp rice buns with made-to-order fillings.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Yonekichi bringing rice burgers to East 9th Street

Greekito tragedy: The back rent is due at this 12th Street cafe

Last month, the owners of the Wayside on 12th Street near Third Avenue switched from one cafe concept to another with the introduction of Greekito, featuring Greek tacos, beer and wine, and coffee.

Now, however, a Three Day Rent Demand has appeared on the gate (thanks to food writer Nick Solares for these photos!) ... the document shows that the owners owe nearly $60,000 in back rent (dating to April), late fees and returned check charges...



Perhaps the owners, who also run Merakia: Greek MountainThief Spithouse + Steak on West 21st Street, will get all the finances straightened out here and continue on.

The Wayside, a coffee shop with a variety of pleasant cafe fare, opened in July 2013.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Merakia owners swap out the Wayside for Greekito on 12th Street

The nutella cafe of your dreams opens today with the arrival of the Nutella Cafe

EVG reader Doug shared these photos (from Sunday) from outside the Nutella Cafe, which opens today on 13th Street and University Place...



This is only the second Nutella Cafe in the ENTIRE WORLD (Chicago was the first). Menu items at the NYC location include pound cake panzanella with yogurt and berries, topped with — wait! — Nutella and toasted hazelnuts ($11). A grilled baguette comes topped with — ding ding! — Nutella ($7), and a brioche sandwich is filled with Nutella-flavored gelato ($9). (H/T Eater for that info.) If you want more menu details and pics, then check out this Bustle Nutella preview.

The cafe is in the retail space of the Adjmi Architects-designed seven-story condoplex where the starting prices for the homes are $6 million.

The corner previously housed University Place Gourmet as well as several adjacent storefronts, including Bennie Louie Chinese Laundry. Their leases weren't renewed and the corner was demolished.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Major changes coming to University Place and East 13th Street

Report: Incoming condos for 13th Street and University Place will start at $6 million


[Photo from June 2015]

Tuesday's parting shots

Spotted on First Avenue at Second Street... part of a date-night scene via Adrian Wilson (it looked like this before the rain/wind)...

The 2nd Annual SlimaFest is tomorrow night at Max Fish

[File photo of Count Slima by Walter Wlodarczyk]

Max Fish down on Orchard Street plays host tomorrow night (7-9) to the 2nd Annual SlimaFest ... in honor of local legend Joseph "Count Slima" Williams, who worked for the Two Boots family for 30-plus years, starting with helping build the original location at 37 Avenue A in 1987.

Slima, one of the nicest people you'll ever meet, is also an artist... his work will be for sale at Max Fish, where a suggested $10 donation gets you free pizza from Two Boots as well as some live entertainment ... and the chance to see some of his art...



Max Fish is at 120 Orchard St. between Rivington and Delancey.

Tuesday so far

Rainy day pic on Seventh Street via Derek Berg...

More signs of the 14th Street SBS lanes

The city continues to prep 14th Street for its expanded role during the L-train closure next spring. Last week the markings went down for the eastbound Select Bus Service (SBS) lane between First Avenue and Third Avenue...







The westbound lanes are already in place (as noted here).

Here are more details, per the MTA:

The M14 SBS will supplement existing M14A and M14D local bus service on 14th Street, making five stops in each direction between First and Tenth Avenues ... Just before the L train tunnel reconstruction project begins, the M14 SBS route will be extended east to the planned Stuyvesant Cove ferry terminal on the East River to accommodate ferry customers from Brooklyn. Once M14 SBS is implemented, combined with the existing 14th Street local bus service and daily high-occupancy vehicle restrictions on most of 14th Street from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., crosstown buses will be scheduled no more than two minutes apart during peak hours.

This SBS service launches on Sunday, April 21.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Nightmare scenario for residents who learn that 14th Street and Avenue A will be the main staging area for the L-train reconstruction

Prepping for the new protected bike lanes on 12th and 13th streets

Bike lane line work continues on 12th Street

1st signs of the 14th Street SBS lane

20 Avenue A is now 3 storefronts

As noted a few weeks back, Alphabet Pizza and Deli will be the first post-Chase-branch tenant at 20 Avenue A.

Since then, workers have been busy dividing up the rest of the space here at Second Street, an exciting development for 20 Avenue A watchers (there are two of us in the group)...



There are now three storefronts here... the arrows will guide you to the respective doors...



It's not known who the other two tenants might be. Some possibilities COULD be: Another pizza and deli place.

Chase vacated this storefront in November 2015. There have been six or seven different brokers for the space in these past three years.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The retail-wine bar possibilities for the former Chase space on Avenue A and East 2nd Street

The retail space at 20 Avenue A no longer looks like a bank branch

Another broker for the former Chase branch on Avenue A

Pizza for 20 Avenue A

Coming soon: Mi Casa Latina on 14th Street

The coming-soon signage is up in the window at 250 E. 14th St. at Second Avenue. (Thanks @jcastro_nyc for the tip!)

As you can see, Mi Casa Latina will be serving salads, açaí bowls, coffee, juice, etc.

There was an applicant on this month's CB3-SLA committee docket for the address. According to the preliminary questionnaire on file at CB3, applicants were looking to open a "cocktail lounge with craft beer to go component." However, the applicants withdrew from the agenda and, based on the new Mi Casa signage, this concept is not happening at this address.

No. 250 previously housed PokéVillage, which closed in March after 16 months in business.

A full First Lamb Shabu reveal

First Lamb Shabu has emerged from behind the plywood at 218 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

As previously reported, this will be the first Manhattan outpost for the Beijing-based hot pot chain with more than 300 locations in China.

No official word on an opening date just yet.

Previously on EV Grieve:
East 14th Street Dunkin' Donuts shuffle complete

The Dunkin' Donuts space on East 14th Street is for rent

Beijing-based hot pot chain taking over the former Dunkin' Donuts storefront on 14th Street

Empire Gyro announces itself on Allen and Houston

The sign crew arrived on Sunday (top pic!) here on the southeast corner of Allen and Houston to install the new tenant's marquee... and here's Empire Gyro...



The Times reported last month that the 24/7 restaurant will serve a menu that includes soups, salads, kebabs and shawarma. (And no relation to Empire Biscuit!)



The Sugar Cafe closed here in February 2017 after 10-plus years in business. A rent increase — perhaps as much as double the previous ask — was reportedly behind the closing.

Previously on EV Grieve:
'Mediterranean fusion' for the former Sugar Cafe on Houston and Allen

Monday's parting shot

The Joe Strummer mural outside Niagara on Seventh Street and Avenue A got its holiday cheer on today (nine days earlier than last year!)... thanks to Robert Miner for the photo.